Luke 19:45-48
Then Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers." Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.
Have you ever watched a magician perform his illusions? You sit there staring intently as he manipulates his hands to reveal a multitude of objects. You wonder how does he do it? You stare some more. You try to find out. You are spellbound.
As a preacher, I think I do an okay job with my sermons. There are, however, a lot better preachers out there than me. No one would really say that I keep the congregation “spellbound” as I preach. Jesus, though, well that’s another story. There was something about him that captured the attention of the hearer. This man was a simple carpenter from Galilee. This was a man who could give sight to the blind. This man was able to drive out demons. This was a man that could raise the dead to life. Like the old E.F. Hutton commercials, When Jesus talked, people listened.
Since I will never be Jesus, I have to rely on something else to keep people spellbound during my sermons. I have to rely on the Word of God found in the Scriptures and the power of the Holy Spirit found inside each one of us. God’s Word can hold us spellbound when we allow the Holy Spirit to move freely in our lives as we hear the word proclaimed. I suppose that what I am saying is, that I believe that if you want to be spellbound by my, or any other preacher’s sermon, then perhaps you need to come to worship prepared to let the Holy Spirit move freely inside of you as you hear God’s word.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Hi, I have been following your blog for quite some time... I am a young Christian who seldom go to church because I do not really feel comfortable with all the ultra active younger generation of Christians... my family members are not Christians too and it is quite hard for me to explain to them too since they have been brought knowing only of what they have been taught...
My grandmother passed away on tuesday and I am deeply saddened by her passing... she is not a Christian and have not accepted Jesus as her saviour when she was alive... I was wondering if it is possible for people who do not know Christ to have a alternative chance to be saved? Will my prayers for her salvation be answered?
I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to respond. I just found you comment waiting to be posted. I am also sorry about your grandmother's death. As for your question about about an alternate chance for salvation, I am afraid that the Scriptures make it clear that a person must accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior prior to his or her death. We are not given a second chance at salvation. Your prayers for your grandmother, therefore, will be contrary to God's plan, and, unfortunately, will not be answered.
Post a Comment